
Madonna Renewal Center Ice Cream Social

Join us for a prayerful Hike to McNeil’s Damascus Landing in celebration of the conversion of Saint Paul.
Sunday, June 29th
11:30am
Starting point: St. Joseph Church, after morning Mass
We are very happy to announce the return of Our Lady of San Juan de Los Lagos to St. Mary church in Sterling IL, and they would be thrilled to have more visitors to see her!
St. Mary Catholic Church
600 Ave B, Sterling, IL 61081
PH: (815) 625-0640 Ext: 225
Please view the schedule below to see when you can visit St. Mary’s in Sterling to see this miraculous icon in person, and offer prayers to her.
La Igleisa de Santa Maria Les Presenta:
La Virgen de San Juan de Los Lagos
Jueves, 31 de Julio – Domingo, 3 de Agosto, 2025
Jueves, 31 de Julio:
7:00pm – Misa de Bienvenida en Español
(con banderitas y coro local)
Viernes, 1ro de Agosto:
8:00am – Iglesia Abierta para Visitas
8:30am – Misa en Ingles
10:00am – Misa en Honor a nuestra
Virgen en Español
4:00pm – Rosario en Honor a la Santisima Virgen
4:30pm – 6:00pm – Confesiones
5:00pm – Pequeña Platica en la Iglesia
6:30pm – Misa con Uncion para los Enfermos
Sabado, 2 de Agosto: Domingo, 3 de Agosto:
6:30am – Mañanitas con Coro 7:00am , 8:30am, y 10:00am – Misas en Ingles
8:00am – Puertas Abiertas para llevar Flores 11:30am – Misa Bilingüe con Mariachi y Procesion desde
A Nuestra Señora y Visitarla la Capilla a la Iglesia (intercesiones para los
8:30am – Misa en Ingles padrinos y niña/os vestidos de La Virgen
10:00am – Misa en Español y Reflexion y Juan Diego)
durante la Homilia 1:00pm – Despedida de la Imagen y Accion de
4:00pm – 4:30pm – Confesiones Bilingues Gracias en el Salon Bales
5:00pm – Misa en Ingles 4:00pm – Salida de La Virgen
5:30pm – Peregrinación en Bicicleta, comienza
en la Iglesia
Saint Mary’s Church Presents:
Our Lady of San Juan de Los Lagos
Thursday, July 31st – Sunday, August 3rd, 2025
Thursday, July 31st:
7:00pm – Welcoming Mass in Spanish
(with flags and local choir)
Friday, August 1st:
8:00am – Church Opened for Visits
8:30am – English Mass
10:00am – Spanish Mass in Honor of our Our Lady
4:00pm – Rosary in Honor of Our Lady
4:30pm-6:00pm – Confessions
5:00pm – Small Talk in the Church (Spanish)
6:30pm – Spanish Mass with Anointing of the Sick
Saturday, August 2nd: Sunday, August 3rd:
6:30am – Morning Serenade with local choir 7:00am, 8:30am, 10:00am – English Masses
8:00am – Church doors open to offer Flowers 11:30am – Bilingual Mass with Mariachi Band
to Our Lady with Procession from the Parish Center
8:30am – English Mass towards the Church (intercessions for
10:00am – Spanish Mass and Reflection Sponsors and Children to dress as Our during the Homily Lady and Juan Diego)
4:00pm-4:30pm – Bilingual Confessions 1:00pm – Farewell to Our Lady and shared Meal
5:00pm – English Mass to give thanks at Bales Hall.
5:30pm – Pilgrimage by Bicycle, beginning at 4:00pm – Departure of Our Lady the Church
Every month, our parishes across the Rockford Diocese come together to donate specific items to the Freeport Area Church Co-Op – an organization which offers shelter and food for the community in great need. St. May and St. Joseph are participating again this year, and we invite parishioners to donate the suggested items to the FACC boxes in both churches. Check back every month, as items change. We appreciate your support in aiding our neighbors in need!
May
St. Mary
Spaghetti & Pasta Noodles
St. Joseph
Crackers & Cookies
June
St. Mary
Canned Corn Beef
St. Joseph
Canned Tuna
July
St. Mary
Easy Mac – Boxed Mac & Cheese
St. Joseph
Ramen Noodles
August
St. Mary
Ramen Noodles
St. Joseph
Canned Fruit
September
St. Mary
Canned Fruit
St. Joseph
Easy Mac – boxed Mac & Cheese
October
St. Mary
Easy Mac – Boxed Mac & Cheese
St. Joseph
Ramen Noodles
November
St. Mary
Canned Corn Beef
St. Joseph
Canned Fruit
Our next Men’s Gathering is May 22nd! All men from any parish are welcome to join us for dinner and a talk by a different guest speaker every month. We hope to see you there!
FAMILY ROSARY & POTLUCK
Beginning in May and Ending in September – join us for an outdoor potluck, followed by a group rosary. Kathy and Mark Mannino have been kind enough to offer their own farm as our meeting place. Here we will share a meal together, consisting of potluck items brought by everyone, and possibly some classic cook-out style foods. Afterwards we will join together to pray the rosary. While here, you have the chance to appreciate nature in the nice spring and summer weather, and meet amazing farm animals – including three gentle horses! You won’t want to miss this opportunity – prayers are stronger together!
Saturday, May 17th
6:00pm
Join us every 2nd Saturday of the month (The first one isn’t the 2nd Saturday, but the rest will be!)
Located at Mannino Farm
4007 E. Lamm Rd. Freeport, IL 61032
Dinner at 6pm, Rosary afterward
Bring a main dish, side dish, snack, or dessert. Soda, water, & utensils provided.
Bring lawn chairs & insect repellent (if needed).
The dates for all the meetings will be Saturdays, May 17th, June 14th,
July 12th, August 9th, & September 13th
In light of the recent death, the Rockford Diocese is holding a special Mass for the intentions of Pope Francis on Friday, April 25th. 6:30pm at the Cathedral of St. Peter in Rockford.
Bishop Malloy’s Statement on the Death of Pope Francis
ROCKFORD—Bishop David J. Malloy, Bishop of the Rockford Diocese, today issued a statement on
the death of the Holy Father Pope Francis, praying for the repose of his soul. Here is the full
statement.
“With the news today of the death of Pope Francis, I join with the faithful of the Diocese of
Rockford and with the Church throughout the world that mourns his passing. For the past 12 years,
he has carried out the singular task entrusted to each of the Successors of St. Peter. That is, in union
with the teaching of Christ, to be a witness to the Catholic faith and a source of unity for the faithful.
“Pope Francis, by living and preaching simply, sought to remind the world of the love of God and
the love we must have for each other. He sought to raise up the plight of the poor and of refugees
and immigrants, especially those fleeing violence and oppression. Pope Francis reminded the world
of the goodness and sacredness of creation and the environment. But he reminded us as well that
the human person is the highest good of creation and that we are the special recipients of God’s
love. For that reason, he was a tireless witness of the right to life of the child in the womb and of
those close to death. He emphasized the gift of gender given to every person as part of creation,
and its link to the family.
“During his Pontificate, many have sought to label the pontiff in political terms of being liberal or
conservative. But because he fulfilled his papal calling as a witness to faith, those who sought to
impose political categories upon his pontificate have been disappointed. In reality, Pope Francis was
liberal with his love for God and conservative in keeping the teachings of the faith constant and
consistent with the teaching of Jesus Himself.
“His life and vocation have been a lesson to the world in this moment and will be cause for
reflection for years to come. The current Jubilee Year, with its theme stressing Christian Hope, will
be a final testament to the legacy of Pope Francis.
“I pray for the repose of the soul of the Holy Father. And I offer my prayers now for the Cardinals
of the Catholic Church who will soon gather to select the next Successor of St. Peter who will begin
his own service, faithfully teaching and witnessing to Jesus Christ.”
Established in 1908, the Diocese of Rockford is comprised of 105 parishes in Boone, Carroll, DeKalb, JoDaviess,
Kane, Lee, McHenry, Ogle, Stephenson, Whiteside and Winnebago Counties in Northern Illinois serving a Catholic
population of more than 300,000. For more about the Catholic Diocese of Rockford visit www.rockforddiocese.org.
Declaración del obispo Malloy sobre la muerte del papa Francisco
ROCKFORD— El obispo de la Diócesis de Rockford, David J. Malloy, emitió hoy un comunicado
acerca del fallecimiento del Santo Padre, el papa Francisco, en el que ora por su eterno descanso. A
continuación, el comunicado completo.
Con la noticia de la muerte del papa Francisco, me uno a los fieles de la Diócesis de Rockford y a
la Iglesia en todo el mundo que lamenta su fallecimiento. Durante los últimos 12 años, llevó a cabo
la singular tarea encomendada a cada uno de los sucesores de San Pedro: ser, en unión con la
enseñanza de Cristo, testigo de la fe católica y fuente de unidad para los fieles.
El papa Francisco, con una vida y una predicación sencillas, buscó recordar al mundo el amor de
Dios y el amor que debemos tenernos los unos a los otros. Procuró visibilizar la difícil situación de
los pobres, los refugiados y los inmigrantes, especialmente de aquellos que huyen de la violencia y
la opresión. El papa Francisco recordó al mundo la bondad y la sacralidad de la creación y del medio
ambiente. Pero también nos recordó que la persona humana es el bien supremo de la creación y
que somos los destinatarios especiales del amor de Dios. Por ello, fue un testigo incansable del
derecho a la vida del niño en el vientre materno y de los que están en la etapa terminal de la vida.
Enfatizó el don de la identidad de género otorgado a cada persona como parte de la creación, y su
vínculo con la familia.
Durante su Pontificado, muchos intentaron etiquetar al pontífice en términos políticos,
encasillándolo como liberal o conservador. Sin embargo, debido a que cumplió con su vocación
papal como testigo de la fe, quienes intentaron imponer categorías políticas a su pontificado se han
sentido decepcionados. En realidad, el papa Francisco fue liberal en su amor a Dios y conservador
al mantener las enseñanzas de la fe constantes y coherentes con las enseñanzas del mismo Jesús.
Su vida y vocación han sido una lección para el mundo en este momento y serán motivo de
reflexión en los años venideros. El presente Año Jubilar, cuyo tema enfatiza la esperanza cristiana,
será un testimonio final del legado del papa Francisco. Oro por el eterno descanso del alma del
Santo Padre. Y ofrezco mis oraciones ahora por los cardenales de la Iglesia católica que pronto se
reunirán para elegir al próximo sucesor de san Pedro, quien comenzará su propio servicio,
enseñando y dando testimonio fiel de Jesucristo.
Establecida en 1908, a la Diócesis de Rockford la conforman 105 parroquias en los condados de Boone, Carroll,
DeKalb, JoDaviess, Kane, Lee, McHenry, Ogle, Stephenson, Whiteside y Winnebago, en el norte de Illinois, que
atienden a una población católica de más de 300 000 personas. Para más información sobre la Diócesis Católica
de Rockford, visite www.rockforddiocese.org.
1h 35m
In Theaters April 27th – 29th
In a world losing itself to screens, teenage mystic Carlo Acutis saw beyond our social media-addicted society and offered an answer —
if we’re willing to listen.
Carlo Acutis: Roadmap to Reality explores the life of the first millennial saint while following teens on a phone-free pilgrimage to his tomb, immersing them in his story, his passion for Christ, and a search for meaning in a digital age.
Join us at the Lindo Theater for special limited screenings of the film!
Monday April 28th: 7:00pm [Buy Tickets Now]
Tuesday April 29th: 7:00pm [Buy Tickets Now]
CLASSIC CINEMAS LINDO THEATRE
115 South Chicago Ave, Freeport, IL, 61032
815-233-0025
Who was Carlo Actuis? Why is he now a Saint?
Carlo Acutis (3 May 1991 – 12 October 2006) was a British-born Italian teenager known for his devotion to the Eucharist, which became a core theme of his life prior to his death from leukaemia at the age of 15 in 2006. In 2013, a cause for his canonization was opened. He was beatified by Pope Francis on 10 October 2020. After a second miracle attributed to the intercession of Acutis was confirmed in May 2024, Pope Francis granted approval in July 2024 to continue forward with canonization, which is scheduled for 27 April 2025 (Wiki).
Word on Fire – Carlo Actuis, the First Millennial Saint
Written by Fr Billy Swan
I write these words on vacation in the beautiful Italian town of Assisi, home to Saints Francis and Clare, whose tombs are a mere ten-minute walk from where I am staying. Yet even closer to me, about five minutes on foot, is the presence of another blessed whose remains rest in the Church of Santa Maria Maggiore. I speak of Carlo Acutis—a young Italian boy who died at the age of fifteen from leukemia and will become the first millennial saint probably during the Jubilee year of 2025.
So, who is Carlo Acutis, and why is he a role model for young people today?
Carlo Acutis was born in London of Italian parents on May 3, 1991. Because of work reasons, the Acutis family moved back shortly afterward to Italy, settling in Milan. The young Carlo settled into his new school quite well, and rather than waiting for friends to come to him, he is remembered for being a friend to all. In 2005, he began studies at a new school, run by the Jesuits. During this time, Carlo showed himself skilled in all things to do with information technology, computers, and the internet. He was inspired by Steve Jobs, former CEO of Apple. The wisdom Jobs shared struck a chord with the young Carlo: “Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living the life of someone else.” Another piece of wisdom from Steve Jobs resonated with Carlo: “It is only by saying ‘no’ that you can concentrate on the things that are truly important.”
It might seem odd that Jobs’ words “Your time is limited” would have a profound impact on a teenager with his whole life ahead of him. Yet those words anticipated the length of Carlo’s life. He shared with a friend a premonition he had that his life would indeed be short. Jobs’ warning not to live the life of someone else or live another’s expectations also impacted him strongly. In fact, he rephrased this wisdom in his own way using the memorable analogy of a photocopy: “All people are born as originals but many die as photocopies.” Here, Carlo warns against the slavery of conformity—but not with the modern response of being radically individualistic. Rather, he understood that God made us unique and that each of us needs to discern the vocation the Lord has entrusted to us within the family of the Church. Such was the impact of these words that Pope Francis included them in his apostolic exhortation Christus Vivit (“Christ is alive”), addressed to young people. Speaking of Carlo, Francis said,
He saw that many young people, wanting to be different, really end up being like everyone else, running after whatever the powerful set before them with the mechanisms of consumerism and distraction. In this way they do not bring forth the gifts the Lord has given them; they do not offer the world those unique personal talents that God has given to each of them. As a result, Carlo said, ‘Everyone is born as an original, but many people end up dying as photocopies.’ Don’t let that happen to you! (Christus Vivit 106).
Steve Jobs’ words about the importance of saying ‘no’ were also influential. Showing wisdom beyond his years, Carlo realized that we can’t say yes to everything. There have to be boundaries and choices of what we accept and reject. He also knew that all goods don’t exist on the same level but present themselves to us in a hierarchy of greater or lesser value, and only by saying ‘no’ to a lesser good can we say ‘yes’ to something greater.
He is a role model for young people and indeed for all of us of how to use technology without being manipulated or controlled by it.
For Carlo, this highest good of all was God and his will for his life. “Happiness is looking towards God,” he said. “Sadness is looking towards yourself.” One of his best-known pieces of wisdom says it all: “God and not me.” In Italian, the phrase has an even greater effect: “Dio, non io.” He also shared, “Money is only ragged paper. . . . What counts in life is the nobility of the soul, that is, the way that one loves God and loves one’s neighbor.” Here is a clarity of vision from the future saint that encourages young people not to settle for something beneath their dignity or to pursue goods that fail to satisfy the longings of the human heart.
At a time when excessive screen time is a worry for the parents of teenagers, Carlo is a great example of someone who used modern technology to good effect without wasting time or being distracted. During the autumn of 2004, he accepted the responsibility of being deputy catechist, accompanying candidates for First Communion and Confirmation. During that time, Carlo used his skills to update and develop the websites and communication platforms of his parish and school, opening up new ways to evangelize and share the Good News using new media. Not being naïve about the dangers of the internet, he warned his fellow students about the evils of pornography that “hypnotize” its victims and dehumanize both its producers and consumers. He gently but firmly counseled his fellow students about the importance of the will and the capacity to master it with God’s grace. For Carlo, information technology must be seen for what it is: a tool to share good news, to connect, and to do good. In this regard, he is a role model for young people and indeed for all of us of how to use technology without being manipulated or controlled by it.
What Christians Believe
From a young age, Carlo grasped the teaching of Jesus about the importance of interior disposition as the key to what we say or act. He knew that a deep and beautiful spirituality on the inside is the secret of a serene, consistent, and joyful disposition that presents itself on the outside. Carlo often repeated, “Why do people worry so much about their physical beauty but don’t worry about the beauty of their souls?” Carlo exemplified this beauty as a person of great holiness on the inside and with the charity he showed in how he lived. He helped immigrants, beggars, the disabled, and the elderly. He was a friend to those his own age whose parents had separated.
Another distinct feature of Carlo’s young life was his love for the Eucharist. At a time when many of his contemporaries were walking away from the Mass, Carlo found something beautiful in it that attracted him, something divine that he experienced. For Carlo, the Eucharist was a threshold experience that enabled him to transcend the border of this world and touch a world beyond. He famously said, “The Eucharist is my motorway to heaven,” and that “with each Communion we come closer to the goal of sanctity.”
He also loved the habitual prayer of Eucharistic Adoration as a time of intimate communion with the Lord Jesus. Carlo compared his time in Adoration of the Eucharist as being like St. John the Apostle who leaned on the Lord’s breast at the Last Supper. For Carlo, we are called to possess “Eucharistic souls in which God works those marvels in us that only He can do.”
Carlo Acutis died after a short illness caused by acute leukemia. He faced his death with great courage, as did his suffering parents. Though they prayed for the miracle of his survival, they all came to realize that while God doesn’t always save us from death, he saves us indeath. Carlo was declared a blessed of the Church on October 10, 2020. Since then, there have been countless witnesses who have come forward who testify to his intercession and to the amount of good that continues to pour from this young man’s life. He is a wonderful example of how living a life of joyful faith takes nothing away from our desire to be free and happy.
Having spent the last two weeks as his close neighbor here in Assisi, I give thanks for the opportunity to learn about the life of Blessed Carlo Acutis and for spending time in the chapel where his body rests. As the first millennial saint, may his witness inspire many young people to walk the same path of holiness and greatness as he did.
Our parishes are working together with Two Men and A Truck to donate supplies to the Madonna Renewal Center.
Starting now until the first week of May, we will be accepting any of the items listed below.
Place your items inside the large box labeled “MOVERS FOR MOMS” located at the back of each church this weekend.
https://twomenandatruck.com/movers-for-moms
TWO MEN AND A TRUCK U.S. locations partner with local businesses, schools, and other organizations to collect essential care items, such as soap and shampoo, for women staying in domestic abuse or homeless shelters. Once all donations are collected, our move teams pick up and sort the items. Then around Mother’s Day they deliver the donations to their shelter partners.
TWO MEN AND A TRUCK has a strong influence from women in various roles, and this is our way of showing appreciation for the efforts of all moms. In 2024, we were able to collect and donate more than 430,000 items to local shelters supporting women!
2024 Results
If you’re interested in supporting the program as a collection site, or would like to donate items locally, please email Movers4Moms@twomen.com.